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DNR Awards Water Improvement Grants To Queen Anne's County, Federalsburg

ANNAPOLIS, MD (December 14, 2009) — Queen Anne’s County and Federalsburg
announced awards this week for major improvements at two heavily used public
boat ramps, using grants from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’
(DNR) Waterway Improvement Fund.

“Governor O’Malley, the Maryland General Assembly, and Queen Anne’s County
Commissioners recognize the importance of providing public boating access to
Maryland’s waterways,” said DNR Director of Boating Services Bob Gaudette. “We
were happy to provide the County Commissioners with State Waterway Improvement
Funds for this worthwhile project.”

On December 8, the Queen Anne’s County Commissioners awarded a contract worth
$139,000 to B & W Construction for the replacement of the bulkhead and boat ramp
at Thomson Creek. This popular one lane boat ramp located on Kent Island
provides access to Thompson Creek, Cox Creek and Eastern Bay. The existing
facility had its last major improvement 20 years ago. DNR’s Waterway Improvement
Fund will provide over $113,000 of the project cost, and the County will provide
funds of over $25,000.

“Thompson Creek is a very popular public boat launch area,” said Gus Gartner,
Public Landings Supervisor for the Queen Anne’s County Department of Parks and
Recreation. “The County is excited about this project since it will make the
ramp easier to use and allow larger boats to launch from this facility. We
expect this project to be completed before the start of next crabbing season. I
really think that the boating public will be happy with this new ramp.”

Additionally, Federalsburg awarded a contract worth $14,200 to install solar
powered security lighting at the VFW Boat Ramp on Marshyhope Creek. This is the
latest in a series of improvements to the facility. Other Waterway Improvement
funded projects at the site include the construction of a new two lane ADA
accessible ramp and shoreline stabilization. The facility is located at the
south end of the Marshyhope Creek Greenway Trail. There is no fee to use this
facility.

“Without DNR as a partner and Waterway Improvement Fund these projects would not
have been possible,” said George Mayer, Main Street Manager for Federalsburg.
“The local boaters are thrilled with the newly up-graded facilities and that
there are no fees to use the VFW Boat Ramp in Federalsburg.”

Activities of this nature are financed through the Waterway Improvement Fund,
the revenues of which come from the 5 percent vessel excise tax that is paid
when a boat is titled in Maryland.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which
is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, is the state agency responsible
for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and
visitors. DNR manages more than 461,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles
of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries, and wildlife for maximum
environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land
conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic, and cultural resources
attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's
effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental
priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov